Minister Dlamini Zuma Concludes visit to China

Beijing - South African Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma today Monday 21 May 2007 concluded bilateral political, economic and trade discussions with her newly appointed counterpart Foreign Minister YANG Jiechi in Beijing, Peoples Republic of China. Minister Dlamini Zuma also held discussions with the Chinese Premier Wen Jiaboa.

Minister Dlamini Zuma's discussions in China came within the context of South Africa's priority to consolidate South-South Relations in general and strengthening political, economic and trade relations with the Peoples Republic of China.

Accordingly, both Ministers agreed to begin preparations to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between South Africa and China in 2008.

The Ministers discussed the strengthening of political and economic relations between South Africa and China and committed themselves to making greater efforts towards addressing the trade and investment imbalance between both countries.

Minister Yang reiterated China's support for South African skills and capacity development through its AsgiSA and JIPSA programmes. In this regard the first group of 200 South African students began their artisan training at the Tshwane University of Technology today Monday 21 May 2007.

With regard to Sino-Africa relations Minister Dlamini Zuma expressed appreciation to the government of the Peoples Republic of China for their efforts to ensure the implementation of the outcomes of the Forum on China Africa Co-operation (FOCAC) hosted by Beijing in November 2006. China actively supports African infrastructure, social, economic, and human resource development.

In this regard, Minister Dlamini Zuma expressed her gratitude for China's support for post-conflict reconstruction and development in Cote d'Ivoire through debt write offs, soft loans and grants.

Ministers Dlamini Zuma and Yang also discussed the possibility of trilateral co-operation with other African countries with a view to pushing back the frontiers of poverty and underdevelopment and improving the quality of life for all people of Africa.

Minister Dlamini Zuma briefed her counterpart on the political and socio-economic situation in the Southern African region. Minister Yang expressed his support of South Africa's role in the region in securing and maintaining peace, security and stability.

Ministers Dlamini Zuma and Yang, as members of the United Nations Security Council also looked at current issues with which the Security Council is dealing. Both Ministers emphasized the principle of solutions through negotiations between all relevant role-players and recommitted themselves to working together closely in the Security Council.

Minister Yang expressed the appreciation of the Peoples Republic of China for South Africa's continued adherence to the One-China Policy.

Minister Dlamini Zuma will depart from Beijing for Hanoi, Vietnam on Tuesday 22 May 2007 where she will support President Thabo Mbeki during his State Visit to Vietnam.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

21 May 2007